The 2022 Youth Club Championships (YCCs) finals game in the U-20 gender diverse/girls division included documented cases of misogynistic and transphobic behavior by fans toward the Oregon Downpour. These hateful, ignorant actions negatively impacted players on and off the field, coaches, families of players watching on the sideline, and volunteer chaperones. (A live stream of the event via Ultiworld also drew prejudiced remarks in the live chat box.). Although the August 6th events were brought to the attention of USA Ultimate in the days immediately following the tournament, with a request for action, USA Ultimate has not yet responded. This disregard for the trauma caused is unacceptable for any organization, especially for one striving for both equity and expansion of youth programming.

The USAU members of Oregon demand that our organizing body publicly and immediately condemn the behaviors. We also demand that our membership fees be used to understand the desires of the affected youth and adults for follow up conversation and mediation with the transgressors. Equally importantly, we demand that USAU make a public plan to create and maintain safe, healthy spaces for all youth players at future tournaments, including players of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, world view/religion, ability, and nationality. We cannot ignore discriminatory behavior; we must proactively plan for creation of safe space with clear expectations and boundaries as well as plan for fair intervention and response to any future transgressions.

As a USAU member in the state of Oregon, I request that USA Ultimate immediately condemn the hateful actions at 2022 YCCs and take actions to address current community need and future prevention.